Fire fighting suits



7, 1957 G. JOHNSTON I 2,804,071

FIRE FIGHTING SUITS Filed Oct. 12, 1.955 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-l.

FIG.5.

- INVENTOR. Greenhow Johnston wwbv 754 mm) ATTYJ Aug. 7, 1957 G.JOHNSTON FIRE FIGHTING surrs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1955 I6FlG.8.

mmwam Gre'en how Johnsion ATTY:

Aug. 27, 1957 ca. JOHNSTON 2,804,071

FIRE FIGHTING SUITS Filed Oct. 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmvron.Greenhow Johnston WMW United States Patent FIRE FIGHTING SUITS GreenhowJohnston, Richmond, Va., assignor to Temple Safety on Sea Mfg. Co. Inc.,Richmond, Va., 1: corporation of Virginia Application October 12, 1955,Serial No. 540,111

9 Claims. (Cl. 128-142) This invention relates to fire fightingequipment and more particularly relates to an improved form of helmet orhood for use with a fire fighting suit.

This invention relates to subject matter generally simi lar to thatdescribed in my copending application Serial No. 313,769, filed October8, 1952, and now abandoned, and constitutes an improvement thereover inthe construction of the helmet or head-piece for the fire fighting suitas generally set forth in the copending application.

Of primary importance in connection with this invention is the provisionof a rigid, yet light-weight, head-piece or helmet for fire fightingsuits which is so constructed as to lend rigidity to the structure whileat the same time presenting improved mounting means for the variousvalves for admitting and exhausting air from the suit.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved helmet for firefighting suits wherein the air intake and air exhaust means are providedwith selectively operable valve mechanism whereby the operator, at will,can control the induction of air into the suit and also exhausttherefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved valve meansfor use in connection with a fire fighting head-piece wherein the valvemeans is of simple construction and is readily accessible to theoperator from the interior of the suit for operation between open andclosed positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fire fightinghelmet which includes a base structure adapted to seat upon theshoulders of the user and which includes upright members secured at thelower ends to the base member and connected at their upper ends to apair of spaced rigidifying plates one of which serves as an anchor towhich the flexible cover of the helmet is secured and the other of whichserves in part as a means for exhausting air from the suit, both platesalso serving to hold the induction and eduction means in'properrelationship.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fire fightingsuit provided with valve means connected with the air intake and airexhaust means and wherein the valve means is provided with improvedoperating structure permitting the valve means to be readily and easilyoperated from the interior of the suit by the user thereof In thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through the improved head-piece;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing the helmet applied in conjunctionwith the entire fire-fighting suit;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the plane ofsection line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the plane of section line 4-4in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a portion of the tirefighting suit broken away to illustrate the manner in which thehead-piece is attached to the body 2,804,071 Patented Aug. .27, 1957 iceof the user and also to show the location of the auxiliary Oxygen pp y;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing the details of therigidifying plates and the manner of attaching one of the air intakeconduits in conjunction therewith;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal view looking upwardly showing the upper portionof the helmet and illustrating the exhaust openings in the bottomrigidifying plate; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing details of a portion of the valveoperating means.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the referencenumeral 10 indicates generally a base memher which is preferably ofannular configuration and which is adapted to seat upon the body of theuser in the region of his shoulders. The base member, as specificallyshown, includes an annular web portion 11 having a lower outwardlydirected horizontal flange 12 formed at its lower edge and having anupper outwardly directed flange or bead 13 on its upper edge. Securedwithin the annular base member are a pair of spaced parallel rigidifyingstruts 14 and 15 each of which is preferably of channel shapeconfiguration in cross section to lend a maximum of rigidity thereto, aswill be seen most clearly in Fig. 3 wherein the strut 15 is specificallyshown as including an intermediate web portion 16 and the upper andlower flanges 1'7 and 18. Each strut has its oppm site end portions 19and 20 angulated in the manner shown most clearly in Fig. 4 with suchangulated portions engaging flushly against the inner side of the web 11of the base member 10 and secured thereto by any suitable means such asthe rivets 21 specifically shown. Each strut has provided substantiallymidway its ends an integral portion 22 thereof which is in the form ofan angulated flange and which serves as a means by which. the shoulderpad assemblies 23 and 24 are rigidly attached to such struts, as forexample, by the threaded fasteners 25, as illustrated in Fig 4. Theflanges 22 are angulated in such a manner as to provide the angulardisposition of the shoulder pads 23 and 24 illustrated in Fig. 1. Itwill be appreciated that the shoulder pads each constitutes a top platemember 26 which is slightly arcuate with the concave side thereof facingdownwardly, this plate being rigidly attached to the flanges 22. Theconcave undersurface of each plate is provided with a layer of spongerubber 27 or like material, suitably fastened thereto as by adhesive orthe like, and which sponge rubber is adapted to rest upon the shouldersof the user and form a cushion for the head-piece.

Each plate 26 is also provided with a pair of guide straps 28 and 29which are adapted to receive therethrough the shoulder strap members 30and 31 as illustrated in Fig. 5, which shoulder straps may be crossedboth in the front and rear and attached at their free ends to the beltmember 32 which is disposed about the waist of the wearer, thus firmlyanchoring the head-piece in place upon the shoulders of the user.

Disposed in circumferentially spaced relationship around the base member10 are a series of uprights or forming members 33. These uprights arepreferably of channel shape in cross section to lend lightness theretoand yet retain a sufficient degree of rigidity. Each upright is rigidlysecured at its lower end to the base member 10 and at the point ofconnection thereto the upper head 13 of such base member is cut away toallow the web portion 34 of the associated upright to contact flushlywith the other web surface 11 of the base member. To avoid thepresentation of any sharp edges which would tend to wear or tear theflexible cloth covering 35 for the head-piece, the legs 36 of eachupright are cut away as at 37 in Fig. 3 to taper downwardly andgenerally intersect the outer edge of the lower flange 12 of the basemember. Any similar means may be provided for securing the uprights tothe base member, for example, the securing may be effected by welding orrivets or the like may be used. The upper ends of the uprights terminatein inwardly directed horizontal portions 38 and the uprights areuniformly bent in the regions 39 to provide a smooth contour. The upperends 4% of the uprights are disposed in spaced relation to each otherand are arranged to define a circular space therebetween. To rigidifythe uprights at their upper ends, a pair of circular plate members 41and 42 are provided. The web 34 of each upright is rigidly secured tothe bottom plate 42 and such securement may be effected by means ofweldmg or the like, by threaded fastening means or any equivalentthereof.

I As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the upper and lower plates 41 and 42are secured together in spaced parallel relationship by means of thebolts 43 and their associated nuts 44, the bolt projecting through bothof the plates and cooperating with the spacing washers or tubes 45 whichare disposed between the plates to retainthe proper spacingtherebetween. Of course, the spacing tubes 45 are preferably of suchlength as to permit the upper portions 33 of the uprights to be securelysandwiched between such plates 41 and 42.

The head-piece thus formed is provided with the prevlously mentionedflexible covering 35 which may be formed of any suitable fire-proofmaterial such as as bestos cloth and the like, and formed in suchcovering '18 an opening within which a transparent window member 46 issecured in air-tight relation with the cloth cover. The window is alsodisposed in the cloth covering as to lie between two adjacent uprights.

In addition to the rigidifying and securing effect of the upper plates41 and 42, these plates serve to provide a rigid support for the variousair intake tubes or conduits 47 and 48 and for the exhaust conduit 49.This Is illustrated most clearly in Fig. 6 wherein it will be seen thatthe inlet conduit 47 which is of cylindrical configuratlon projectsentirely through aligned openings in the top and bottom plates 41 and42. A clamp member 50 is disposed in clamped relation around theassociated tube 47 and the upper and lower edges of said clamp abut theopposing surfaces of the plates 41 and 42 whereby the conduit 47 isrigidly afiixed in proper position and is prevented of axial movement.The clamp may be of any conventional construction and the form shown InFig. 3 terminates at opposite ends in spaced ears 51 having projectedtherethrough a suitable screw-threaded fastener 52 which serves to drawthe ear members together and effect a clamping action on the outersurface of the conduits.

The upper edge 53 of the inlet, conduit 4'7, for example, constitutes avalve seat against which the resilient gasket member 54 of the valve cap55 is adapted to engage upon manipulation of the internal structurehereinafter described such as to seal off the inlet conduit 4'7 from theatmosphere. The valve cap 55 has a central disc like portion 56 and acircumferentially depending flange 57,

the inner surface of which defines a diameter greater than the outsidediameter of the conduit 47 so that the cap may seat upon the conduitwith the gasket 54 disposed in engagement with the valve seat 53.

Projecting through the central portion of the part 56 of the valve capis a tube 58 which receives therethrough the cap portion 59 of aconventional Bowden wire assembly 60, the cable being securely fastenedby any suitable means within the tube 58 such that the two are rigidlyattached together. A supporting bracket 61 is secured within theinterior of the conduit 47 by means of its opposito end portions 62 and63 being rigidly attached thereto by the fasteners 64 and 65 whichproject through both the clamp means 50 and the wall of the conduit 47.Alternatively, the end portions 62 and 63 may be spot welded or rivetedto the conduit 47 alone.

Such bracket 61 may be provided with a struck-out strip portion 66 whichdefines a loop with the adjacent opposite edge portions 67 and 63 of thebracket 61 so as to receive the sheath portion 69 of the Bowden cabletherethrough after which the portion 66 may be deformed into positionfrictional engagement to hold the cable in place with the terminus 76 ofthe sheath disposed in spaced relation to the valve seat 53 to permitproper operation of the valve.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 8, the lower end of the sheath 69is rigidly aflixed to the strap member 71 by means of a socket member72, the socket member 72 permitting free passage of the cable 59therethrough as will be readily apparent. The strap 71 is rigidlysecured by any suitable means to the web 16 of the strut 15, this beingeffected by any suitable means.

The strap has rigidly secured thereto a stud member 73 having a shank 74and terminating in an enlarged head 75 disposed in spaced relation tothe strap 71. The shank 74 projects through a longitudinally extendingslot 76 in a strap member 77 which is disposed in faceto-face contactwith the strap 71. The enlarged head 75 of the stud 73 is, of course, ofgreater diameter than the diameter of the slot 76 to preventdisengagement of the two strap members 71 and 77. The strap 71 has asecond stud member 78 rigidly secured thereto in spaced relation to thefirst mentioned stud 73 and formed similarly thereto, this latter studbeing projected through a generally U-shaped slot 79 in the operatingstrap 77. By the provision of the U-shaped slot 72, the stud 78 may beeither disposed within the end portion 80 or the end portion 81 of suchslots 79 between which two positions the Bowden wire cable 59 hasshifted the cap 55 between the open position shown in Fig. 6 and theclosed position sealing off the conduit 47. There are two suchidentically constructed conduits 47 and 48 and operators therefor.

Each inlet conduit 47 and 48 has a lower portion 82 which projects belowa substantial distance below the lower rigidifying plate 42 and servesas a nipple over which a flexible conduit 83 is engaged. As will be seenmost clearly in Fig. 3, the flexible conduits extend from the members4-7 and 4s a substantial distance downwardly and these flexible conduitspreferably terminate below the shoulders of the user.

The end of the cable 59 is securely fastened within a bore of a screwmember S which is journaled on the strap 77 by means of the spaced bandmembers 13, these band members being secured to the strap by suitablemeans such as the rivets R. Threaded upon the screw S and disposedbetween the two bands or straps B is a nut member N by means of whichadjustment of the Bowden Wire cable 59 may be attained. In thisconnection, it will be readily apparent that by rotating the nut end,the screw threaded member S will be moved axially in one direction oranother to tighten or loosen the cable 59 and thus effect the properseating of the associated valve cap 55. To prevent rotation of the screwmember during the adjustment, the free end F of the screw threadedmember S may be provided with a non-circular stop plate member P whichis rigidly secured thereto and which is adapted, should thescrew-threaded member 5 tend to turn, abut the strap 77 and prevent suchrotation.

As will be seen in Fig. l, the two adjacent uprights 33 between whichthe transparent window 46 is disposed, carry guide straps 85 throughwhich the flexible conduits 83 are projected to hold them on oppositesides of the outer face so as to prevent interference with the usersvision. It is to be understood that there is one control assembly asshown in Fig. 8 associated with each of the inlet conduits 47 and 48 andit might be mentioned that the lower end of each of the operating straps'77 is provided with a laterally projecting handle 36 so as to aid inmanipulation thereof.

The exhaust conduit 49 is disposed relative to the plate members 41 and42 generally similarly to the inlet Conduits 47 and 48 with theexception that the exhaust conduit does not in its entirety projectthrough the lower plate 42. The lower edge of the exhaust conduit 49 ispiovided with the downwardly projecting tongues 87 which are projectedthrough slots in the lower plate 42 and which are subsequently bent overto firmly attach the exhaust conduit to the lower plate. Registeringwith the axial opening in the conduit 49 are a series of openings 88formed in the lower plate 42 to permit the passage of air outwardly ofthe helmet structure. Also, as seen most clearly in Fig. 3, the regionof the exhaust conduit 49 which is disposed between the upper and lowerplates 41 and 42 is provided with a series of circumferentially spacedopenings 89 which, taken in conjunction with the several openings 90formed in the lower plate 42, present additional means by means of whichair can be exhausted from within the helmet and suit. The exhaustconduit is provided with a valve cap identical to that described inconjunction with Fig. 6 and is also provided with an identicallyconstructed operating means, such operating means including strapscorresponding to the previously described straps 71 and 72, suchoperating control mechanism being indicated generally by the referencecharacter 91 in Fig. 3, whereas the operating structure for the inletconduit 48 is indicated generally by the reference character 92 in Fig.3 and in respect thereto, it will be noted that the Bowden wire 60projects through the wall of the flexible conduit 83 at a point disposedsomewhat beyond the upper edge of the strap member 71.

The upper portion of the helmet is constructed generally along the linesof my aforementioned co-pending application. In this respect, it will beseen that the plates 41 and 42 are provided with aligned center openingsthrough which is projected a spacer tube 93 which serves as a guidethrough which is projected an elongated stud 94 which is used to securethe various component parts of the upper portion of the helmet in place.The stud is treaded at its lower end 95 and has secured thereon a nut 96and is also threaded at its upper end 97 for cooperation with the nut98. A second spacer tube 99 is disposed between the upper plate 41 andthe undersurface of an umbrella-like shield 100. The shield 100 has amore or less rigid central portion 101 which is formed from laminationsas will be evident from Fig. 3, one of the laminations being of aflexible nature and projecting beyond such central portion as shown bythe reference character 102 to droop downwardly in protective fashionaround the various inlet and outlet conduits 47, 48 and 49, the outeredge of said portion 102 being provided with a band of wire mesh 103.

Disposed in the upper surface of the shield 100 is a filling plug orblock 104 which has a central bore therethrough receiving the stud 94and a central boss 105 which is rigidly secured to the stud 94 as bymeans of the cotter pin 106 or similar suitable structure. Thus, whenthe nut 96 is tightened, the plug 104 is forced downwardly to sandwichthe shield 100 and the spacer 99 between such plug and the upper plate41. The stud 94 projects upwardly beyond the plug 104 through adistributing head 107 which is of hollow cylindrical configuration andwhich is internally threaded to receive external threads on the plug105.

The distributing member 107 has a pair of diametrically opposedinternally threaded openings 108 and 109 into which the nipples 110 and111 are received, these nipples being in turn connected to flexiblewater conduits 112 and 113 leading to a suitable source of water supply.Thus, when the water supply is turned on, water will enter into theinterior of the distributing head 107 from whence a portion of suchwater will be projected outwardly thereof through a series ofcircumferentially spaced nozzles 114 which project upwardly through thedistributing head to spray the undersurface of the top piece deflectingassembly 115. The top piece 115 may be in the form of an outer disc 116of metallic construction which has a peripheral bead 117 embracing theouter periphery of an underlying layer of mesh or fabric 118. Theconstruction is such that the nozzle 114 projects water against theundersurface of the cover 115 with sulficient force to form a mist whichis deflected outwardly between the cover 115 and the shield to generallyenvelop the helmet or headpiece structure. The cover is rotatablyreceived on the stud 94 by means of a centrally disposed bushing 119,the previously mentioned nut 98 being disposed immediately above suchbushing although it may be preferred that an intervening washer beprovided to permit the cover to rotate in the manner hereinafterdescribed.

Secured centrally of the cover 115 on the undersurface thereof insurrounding relation to the bushing 119 is a thrust boss 120 having astepped circular edge receiving a thrust washer 121 which bears againstthe upper edge of the distributing head 107 in water-tight relationtherewith. Projecting through the outer wall of such thrust boss 120 area series of nozzles 122 whose router ends project through the cover 115'and are tangentially angulated in the manner shown most clearly in Fig.1 so that when water is projected therethrough, they will etfect aspinning action on the cover 115 to form an outer spray or curtain ofwater enveloping the head-piece.

The purpose of the valves utilized in conjunction with the variousconduits 47, 48 and 49 is to absolutely prevent the entrance of thesurrounding atmopshere into the interior of the suit when the same is inuse, for example, in the presence of a great deal of smoke or noxiousfumes. Under such circumstances, all of the valves may be controlled andthe control valve 123 of an oxygen supply tank 124 may be opened toprovide a substantially pure supply of oxygen into the interior of thesuit, such supply tank being preferably carried on the previouslymentioned belt 32 as will be evident from Fig. 5.

The upper plate 41 is imperforate except where provision is made for theprojecting conduits 47, 48 and 49 and for the reception of the variousfastening elements 4.3 which secure the two plates together so that nooutside air may enter the interior of the suit when the various valvesassociated with the inlets and the outlet are closed. Under someconditions wherein the atmosphere is not so noxious or the smoke sodense, only the .inlet conduit valves may be operated to the closedposition with the oxygen supply 124 turned on so that air is dischargedoutwardly of the suit through the exit conduit 49.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, the device is shown asapplied to the fire fighting suit 1.30. The suit is provided with azipper 131 of suflicient length to permit access into the suit and toaccommodate the size of the particular wearer, the suit being providedwith shoulder strap assemblies 132 and 133.

One of the previously mentioned water inlet conduits 112, 113 may bereplaced by the fire fighting chemical conduit 134 shown in Fig. 2 whichleads to a source or reservoir 135 containing suitable liquid or gaseousfirefighting chemical, the reservoir being provided with an outletnipple 136 and associated release valve 137 so that the operator canintroduce the chemical solution into the distributing head 107 asdesired.

It is preferred that the end portion 80 of the U-shaped slot 79 beprovided at its terminus with an offset locking notch 138 as indicatedin Fig. 8. This locking notch serves not only the purpose of positivelyretaining the associated valve assembly in its closed position but alsoserves as a means for aiding and adjustment of the valve mechanism. Thatis, with the stud 78 disposed within the notch 138, the nut N istightened to tension the cable 59 and thus force the valve into sealedor closed position. It is thus assured that when the stud 78 is receivedin the locking notch 138 the valve will be in properly closed position.

The nut N, see Fig. 8, is provided on its flats with a plurality ofopenings or recesses W to facilitate turning of this nut when such asnecessary. The nut may be turned in the desired direction by insertingthe point of a screw driver or any object which may be projected intothe recesses W and utilizing the same to turn the nut.

I claim:

1. A helmet for a fire fighting suit comprising, an open base member, aseries of uprights secured at their lower ends to the base member, meansrigidly securing together the upper ends of all of said uprights, therebeing a noninflammable flexible covering extending over said means andaround said uprights to create an isolated atmosphere about a usershead, air intake and air exhaust means carried by the first mentionedmeans for providing communication between the interior of the helmet andthe ambient atmosphere, an umbrella-like shield carried by said firstmeans and disposed in spaced relation above said intake and exhaustmeans, and means carried by the first means above said shield forproviding a protective curtain of liquid about the helmet.

2. A helmet for a fire fighting suit comprising, an open base member, aseries of uprights secured at their lower ends to the base member, meansrigidly securing together the upper ends of all of said uprights, therebeing a noninfiammable flexible covering extending over said means andaround said uprights to create an isolated atmosphere about a usershead, air intake and air exhaust means carried by the first mentionedmeans for providing communication between the interior of the helmet andthe ambient atmosphere, an umbrella-like shield carried by said firstmeans and disposed in spaced relation above said intake and exhaustmeans, and means carried by the first means above said shield forproviding a protective curtain of liquid about the helmet, said intakeand exhaust means including valve mechanisms for controlling theinduction and eduction of air.

3. In a protective helmet for fire fighters, a substantially annularbase member, a plurality of uprights having their lower ends spacedcircumferentially around and secured to said base member, each uprighthaving a laterally bent, inwardly directed upper end with all of suchupper ends being disposed in a common plane, an upper plate overlyingsaid upper ends, a lower plate underlying said upper ends, meanssecuring said plates together whereby said upper ends of the uprightsare sandwiched therebetween and rigidly secured together thereby, acylindrical exhaust conduit projecting through said upper plate andsecured at its lower end to said lower plate, said conduit having aplurality of apertures therein in that region disposed between theplates, and said lower plate being perforate to communicate with saidapertures.

4. In a protective helmet for fire fighters, a substantially annularbase member, a plurality of uprights having their lower ends spacedcircumferentially around and secured to said base member, each uprighthaving a laterally bent, inwardly directed upper end with all of suchupper ends being disposed in a common plane, an upper plate overlyingsaid upper ends, a lower plate underlying said upper ends, meanssecuring said plates together whereby said upper ends of the uprightsare sandwiched therebetween and rigidly secured together thereby, a pairof spaced, parallel strut members secured at opposite ends to anddisposed within said base member, and cushion means secured to saidstruts for supporting the helmet upon the shoulders of a user.

5. A helmet for a fire fighting suit comprising, an open base member, aseries of uprights secured at their lower ends to the base member, meansrigidly securing together the upper ends of all of said uprights, therebeing a noninfiammable flexible covering extending over said means andaround said uprights to create an isolated atmosphere about a usershead, air intake and air exhaust means carried by the first mentionedmeans for providing communication between the interior of the helmet andthe ambient atmosphere, an umbrella-like shield carried by said firstmeans and disposed in spaced relation above said intake and exhaustmeans, and means carried by the first means above said shield forproviding a protective curtain of liquid about the helmet, said intakeand exhaust means including valve mechanisms for controlling theinduction and eduction of air, and means for operating said valvemechanism interiorly of the helmet.

6. A protective helmet for firefighters comprising, an annular basehaving a plurality of uprights secured thereto to form the contour ofthe helmet, each upright being rigidly secured at its lower end to thebase and the uprights being disposed therearound in circumferentiallyspaced relation, said uprights being disposed in upwardly taperingrelation and each terminating in an inwardly directed upper end portionwith all such portions lying in a common plane, a lower plate underlyingsaid end por tions and to which the same are all rigidly secured, anupper plate overlying said end portions, means rigidly securing saidplates together With said end portions sandwiched therebetween, anintake conduit projecting through both of said plates, an exhaustconduit projecting through said upper plate, valve means associated witheach conduit, each valve means including a cap for seating upon andclosing olf its associated conduit, a Bowden wire having its sheathfixed to the helmet and its cable attached to said cap, and means foroperating said cable to seat and unseat the cap.

7. A protective helmet for firefighters comprising, an annular basehaving a plurality of uprights secured thereto to form the contour ofthe helmet, each upright being rigidly secured at its lower end to thebase and the uprights being disposed therearound in circumferentiallyspaced relation, said uprights being disposed in upwardly taperingrelation and each tenninating in an upwardly directed upper end portionwith all such portions lying in a common plane, a lower plate underlyingsaid end portions and to which the same are all rigidly secured, anupper plate overlying said end portions, means rigidly securing saidplates together said end portions sandwiched therebetween, an intakeconduit projecting through both of said plates, an exhaust conduitprojecting through said upper plate, valve means associated with eachconduit, each valve means including a cap for seating upon and closingofi its associated conduit, a Bowden wire having its sheath fixed to thehelmet and its cable attached to said cap, and means for operating saidcable to seat and unseat the cap, the last means including a pair ofstrip members disposed in overlying relation, one of said strip membersbeing secured to said helmet and the other being attached to said cable,a pair of spaced pins secured to said one strip member, the other stn'pmember having a pair of spaced slots therein receiving said pins, oneslot being elongate and othe other of U-shaped configuration with thebight of the U disposed parallel with the said one slot, whereby saidother strip member is slidable between two locked positions in which thelegs of its U-shaped slot receives its associated pin.

8. A protective helmet for firefighters comprising, an annular basehaving a plurality of uprights secured thereto to form the contour ofthe helmet, each upright being rigidly secured at its lower end to thebase and the uprights being disposed therearound in circumferentiallyspaced relation, said uprights being disposed in upwardly taperingrelation and each terminating in an inwardly directed upper end portionwith all such portions lying in a common plane, a lower plate underlyingsaid end portions and to which the same are all rigidly secured, anupper plate overlying said end portions, means rigidly securing saidplates together with said end portions sandwiched therebetween, anintake conduit projecting through both of said plates, an exhaustconduit projecting through said upper plate, valve means associated witheach conduit, each valve means including a cap for seating upon andclosing off its associated conduit, a Bowden wire having its sheathfixed to the helmet and its cable attached to said cap, and means foroperating said cable to seat and unseat the cap, an umbrella-like shieldcarried by said plates and disposed in spaced relation above saidconduits, and means carried by said plates above said shield forproviding a protective curtain of liquid about the helmet.

9. A protective helmet for firefighters comprising, an annular baseheaving a plurality of uprights secured thereto to form the contour ofthe helmet, each upright being rigidly secured at its lower end to thebase and the uprights being disposed therearound in circumferentiallyspaced relation, said uprights being disposed in upwardly taperingrelation and each terminating in an inwardly directed upper end portionwith all such portions lying in a common plane, a lower plate underlyingsaid end portions and to which the same are all rigidly secured, anupper plate overlying said end portions, means rigidly securing saidplates together with said end portions sandwiched therebetween, anintake conduit projecting through both of said plates, an exhaustconduit projecting through said upper plate, valve means associated witheach conduit, each valve means including a cap for seating upon andclosing ofi its associated conduit, a Bowden wire having its sheathfixed to the helmet and its cable attached to said cap, and means foroperating said cable to seat and unseat the cap, there being a coveringof flexible material about the helmet and through which said conduitsproject, said lower plate being perforate to communicate exteriorly ofsaid helmet through the exhaust conduit.

Bechtold Nov. 6, 1877 Stern May 30, 1916

